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Science lesson plan · 9th grade (Year 10 in England) · 30 minutes

Mitosis and meiosis

Cells, genetics and evolution

CCSS NGSS.HS-LS1-4CCSS NGSS.MS-LS3-2England: KS4 Combined Science: Cell biologyEngland: KS4 Combined Science: Evolution, inheritance and variation

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Mitosis and meiosis.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: DNA, genes and chromosomes

Leads to: The cell cycle and the stages of mitosis; Count chromosomes after mitosis, meiosis and fertilisation

Materials: Microscope images or slides, Cell diagrams, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (DNA, genes and chromosomes). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. How many chromosomes are in a normal human body cell? (46 (23 pairs) / 92 / 12 / 23) → 46 (23 pairs)Prompt: They come in pairs, one of each pair from each parent.
  2. Human body cells have 23 pairs of chromosomes. How many chromosomes are in an egg cell? → 23Prompt: Is this a gamete (sex cell) or a body cell?
  3. What shape is a DNA molecule? (a single straight line / a ring of six atoms / a double helix / a cube) → a double helixPrompt: It looks like a twisted ladder.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show a microscope image of cells and ask what students think they are looking at.
  • Share the objective: Mitosis and meiosis. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Mitosis or meiosis? It produces genetically different cells.
  • Step 1: Meiosis makes four genetically different gametes with half the chromosomes.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: meiosis
  • Answer: meiosis
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Mitosis or meiosis? It makes two identical cells. (mitosis / meiosis) → mitosisPrompt: Which one makes sex cells (gametes)?
  2. A bacterium divides into two every 20 minutes. Starting with one cell, how many cells are there after 2 hours (if none die)? → 64Prompt: How many divisions happen in that time?

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. What is an advantage of sexual reproduction? (It is faster than asexual reproduction / It produces variation, which helps a species survive changes / It makes identical offspring / It needs only one parent) → It produces variation, which helps a species survive changesPrompt: Mixing genes from two parents makes offspring different.
  2. A bacterium divides into two every 60 minutes. Starting with one cell, how many cells are there after 4 hours (if none die)? → 16Prompt: How many divisions happen in that time?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: DNA, genes and chromosomes.
  • Use concrete materials: microscope images or slides.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: The cell cycle and the stages of mitosis; Count chromosomes after mitosis, meiosis and fertilisation.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-9.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Mitosis and meiosis

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    What is an advantage of sexual reproduction?

    • A. It is faster than asexual reproduction
    • B. It produces variation, which helps a species survive changes
    • C. It makes identical offspring
    • D. It needs only one parent

  2. Question 2

    A bacterium divides into two every 30 minutes. Starting with one cell, how many cells are there after 2 hours (if none die)?

    Answer

  3. Question 3

    Mitosis or meiosis? It produces genetically different cells.

    • A. mitosis
    • B. meiosis

  4. Question 4

    Before a cell divides by mitosis, what must it do?

    • A. halve its chromosomes
    • B. copy its DNA
    • C. lose its nucleus
    • D. stop respiring

  5. Question 5

    A bacterium divides into two every 30 minutes. Starting with one cell, how many cells are there after 3 hours (if none die)?

    Answer

  6. Question 6

    Mitosis or meiosis? It used in asexual reproduction.

    • A. mitosis
    • B. meiosis

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Answer key: Mitosis and meiosis

  1. 1. B. It produces variation, which helps a species survive changes

  2. 2. 16

  3. 3. B. meiosis

  4. 4. B. copy its DNA

  5. 5. 64

  6. 6. A. mitosis